Doomed Confessionary: Lucas, André & João (El Saguaro)
Photo credits: Gonçalo Fabião
El Saguaro is a psychedelic rock power trio from Lisbon, Portugal, featuring Lucas Hugues on guitar and lead vocals, André Horta on bass and backing vocals, and João Ferreira on drums and backing vocals. Their sound evokes the essence of rock from the late 60s and 70s, where a mix of wild riffs, captivating melodies, and introspective lyrics create a genuine, personal sonic experience.
Inspired by icons like Grand Funk Railroad, Jimi Hendrix, Black Sabbath, Cream, Led Zeppelin, among others, El Saguaro seeks to take their audience on a journey back to the golden age of rock, while opening new horizons and blending their contemporary touch. In doing so, they create a fresh sound where time dissolves, and the music becomes a unique sensory experience.
El Saguaro’s debut EP »Enthusiecstasy«, to be released May 16th, 2025 via Pink Tank Records, is a celebration of the various influences of its members on 60s and 70s psychedelic rock. Recorded at Hertzcountrol Studios, »Enthusiecstasy« is a portal to an era where musical creativity knew no boundaries. Comprising four tracks, this album stands out for its engaging dynamics, harmonious backing vocals, and vibrant psychedelic solos, all complemented by a pulsating bass that pays homage to the classics of the genre.
Can you please say a few words about your band?
El Saguaro is a heavy psych/hard rock power trio formed at the tail end of 2023, diving headfirst into the sounds and vibes of the ‘60s and ‘70s. Our debut EP, »Enthusiecstasy«, captures the raw spirit of that era. It’s all about fuzz, groove, jamming, and doing it straight from the heart.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
There’s no single “biggest” challenge, but we’re constantly throwing new ones at ourselves. We’re always pushing to evolve, improve, and fine-tune our craft while keeping the energy high. That ongoing grind is part of the ride.
What can you be most proud of so far?
Honestly, we’re proud of the entire journey so far, every step has been fueled by passion and belief.
But if we had to pick one thing, it’d be releasing our debut EP »Enthusiecstasy« on vinyl, thanks to the killer support from Pink Tank Records. They joined us on this crazy trip, and that means the world.
What was your biggest regret?
No time for regrets! The engine never stops, we’re always hustling, whether it’s on the road, in the studio, on stage, or raising a glass. We’re creating, recording, and playing non-stop. Life’s in constant motion, and we’re too busy rolling forward to look back.
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
Tough call. Every show has its own soul and flavor. That said, playing in Porto, Portugal always hits different. We’ve got a lot of friends there, and the vibe is super familiar and full of fire. Each gig has its own magic, but Porto always leaves a mark.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
One of the coolest surprises has been the love and warmth from the crowd after our shows. It’s a trip seeing how our vibe connects with people, and when they come up to us to share thoughts or just hang, that’s real gold. It tells us we’re doing something right.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
We’ve been deep into ‘60s and ‘70s psych, some heavy, some groovy. Bands like Casa das Máquinas (Brazil), Grand Funk Railroad, Os Mutantes (Brazil), Captain Beyond, Bolder Damn, Mountain, and others. Also digging newer psych-influenced acts like Crypt Trip, Graveyard, White Dog, El Perro, Prisma Circus and more. We breathe this stuff, it’s like oxygen to us.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
Short, sweet, and spot-on: “Do what you believe in. No matter what anyone says, if it’s real and comes from your heart, it’s always worth it.” We’ve kept that close ever since, and we live by it.
What are your guilty pleasures?
Plenty, but not all of ‘em can be confessed here! One we can share is that we love raising a glass for any reason. The rest? You’ll have to join us on the ride and find out.
Can you say something more about the current music scene in Lisbon / Portugal?
The Portuguese music scene has been thriving in recent years. More and more high-quality bands are emerging and sharing incredible music. It’s helping grow a stronger, more open underground scene with people willing to explore different sounds. It’s powerful to see more fans going to shows and discovering new acts, it really keeps the flame alive.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
Now that the EP is out, we’re hitting the road hard. We’ve got shows lined up across Portugal, and we’ll be tearing through Spain and France too. Later this year, we’ve got a full-on tour through Germany, and we’re planning to wrap things up with a mini Iberian tour across Portugal and Spain. Follow us on socials to stay in the loop and come rock out with us!
What are your plans for the future as a band?
Even though we just dropped the EP, we’re already cooking up our next album. We’re focused on tightening our live set to give our all on stage and let people feel the real deal. At the same time, we’re diving into new material and heading back into the studio soon. Like we said, we’re always on the move.
How can people best support your band?
Nothing beats showing up to our gigs, feel the sound, catch the vibe and connect with us. Grab some merch on our Bandcamp, spread the word, and don’t be shy, come say hey and share a moment with us. We’re all about community.
Do you have any message for your listeners?
A massive thank you for being with us! We’re stoked to finally share our EP with you. We’re hungry for Rock n’ Roll and if you are too, let’s ride together. Our shows are more than music, they’re celebrations. Long live Rock n’ Roll!
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well